Friday’s Valentine’s Day Carnival: For Russia With Love was jointly sponsored by Lush, All Out and the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

Co-organiser Peter Tatchell said:

“On this Valentine’s Day, we send our love to LGBT Russians. We stand with you in solidarity. We support all Russians – gay and straight – who are striving for democracy and human rights. Love will triumph over hate.

“The Sochi Olympics are in full swing. This carnival is our fun way to keep up the pressure on the Russian government and to show our support for LGBT Russians and all Russian victims of human rights abuses. We don’t want Putin to think that now the Olympics have started the protests are over. Let’s keep highlighting the terrible things happening in Russia and support the heroic Russian activists who are defending human rights. Freedom of expression for all.”

Fellow co-organiser, Juliet Chard of Lush, added:

“We are showing our opposition to the human rights abuses sanctioned by the Putin regime, including the new anti-¬gay law banning “propaganda of non-¬traditional sexual relations to minors”, which has coincided with an upsurge in homophobic and transphobic violence in the country.

“As the world comes together to celebrate the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, we demand that the international community stands in solidarity with everyone suffering discrimination and intimidation because of their sexuality and gender identity,” she said.